Work Permit Application

Those students who aquire a job like research assistant, teaching assistant, and other possible jobs on campus, cafeteria assistant etc. Sessional Teachers cannot get a work permit as they are not in any union. International students who are going to help with courses should be teaching assistants (aðstoðarkennari). Contact the HR team at your school for more information.

Work during the academic year

Students are allowed to work 60% during the academic year - equals 22,5 hours per week. Work permit is always required.

If working for two employers, a work permit is required for each job and the total work can never exceed the 60% limit.

Work during the summer

Students are allowed to work 100% during the summer. Work permit is always required, one for each and every employer.

If working for two employers, a work permit is required for each job and the total work can never exceed the 100% limit.

The above rules do not apply for Phd students as Phd studies are considered as a full time job. Phd students are eligible to apply for a work permit requiring expert knowledge. This permit is beneficial in the long run as it is issued for a longer time and gives opportunity to accummulate rights for a permanent stay in Iceland. This also requires a different residence permit, one based on work.

Those who are not students and aquire a job at the University, postdocs for example or other experts jobs, apply for a work permit based on expert knowledge. Phd students are considered as experts.

For students, other than Phd students, employed by the University of Iceland:

• Work Permit Application for Students The form should be signed by both parties, the applicant and the employer, and confirmed by the relevant trade union securing the statutory minimum wage terms.
• Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.

For MS students who are offered a funded Phd position:

• Work permit application requiring expert knowledge.
• Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.
• Change of residence permit is required, from student based to work based permit.

For Phd students who are offered a postdoc position:

• Work permit application requiring expert knowledge.
• Employment contract with the University of Iceland. Please take into account, this process of renewing the employment contract can take time so start within timely manner.

We fill out the work permit application form and sign on behalf of the employer. Make sure you start early as we can not process the forms immediately, expect at least a week.

Please follow these steps:

• Have your UI employment contract made by the HR team at your School.
• Fill out the required work permit form with personal information and sign the form.
• Email the UI employment contract and the required work permit form to internationalstaff@hi.is  We fill in the employment terms according to the terms of your UI contract and sign on the behalf of the employer. We will send you the signed form by email.
• Every work permit form requires an opinion from a relevant labor union. This is to verify the wages are in accordance to the relevant collective agreement. Students working for the University of Iceland usually belong to one of the following labor unions:  FH Félag háskólakennara, FÍN Félag íslenskra náttúrufræðinga or Sameyki. We provide the union opinion electronically for those who are in FH. Those who belong to the other two need to bring the work permit form and UI employment contract to the relevant union to have the salary terms confirmed. Sessional teachers do not belong to any labor union but still need a confirmation on the salary. Please contact us for further information.
• Mail the two forms to the Directorate of Immigration.

Trade union contact info:

FH - Félag Háskólakennara

FÍN - Félag íslenskra náttúrufræðinga

Sameyki